THE SPECTATOR.
O. L. CCSSY, EP1TOS- !t. W. COLWEIX, MU
Oreg o Cltr Ocfhtat 99, IBoW.
ET Rasoumos passed by the Board of Directors
of the Oregon Printing Association, at their meeting,
Monday, Oct. 5th, 1646, and ordered to be inserted in
the " Spectator" four time.
Whereat several subsoribers to the "Oregon Spec
tator" have proferred pay for the paper in Oregon
Scrip, which will not asset the liabu".tiea of the Board
Therefore Weed. That hereafter rll pe reona eubecriben to
the "Oregon Spectator," be hereby informed that
Oregon Scrip will not be received in payment for the
paper. J" Baoou,
Oregon City, Oct 5th, 1&46. Secretary.
Bl
To CoaaMroNDE.NTf.-Wv have received an ex
ceedingly queer document from T. C. J., of Polk cnin
t ; as we presume it waa intended, we take it for a
bartoque, but meet certainly would question the pro
priety of iti publication. J
We did not receive the communication of 0. C. S.
antil after we had issued the laat number of the
" Spectator." We can only lefer our correspondent to
the published proceeding of the public meeting, in re
lation to the subject matter of hie inquiriee, for the
information be desire.
Some really beautiful stanxaa, addressed " To Mary,"
were received too late for publication in thia number ;
we iball take great pleasure, however, forgiving them
a place in our next
The Emjobatiom. Thoee of the emigranU who
.1 ' IT J I L.. .11
came by the way oi ine juoum nwo row, uo u
aafely reached the valley of the Willamette, and a
large portion of them are already on their claim, bu
aily engaged in promoting their comfort and welfare
Mr. J. W. Ltdd's wagon waa at the head of the line,
and armed in thia city on the 13th of laat month, at
least two monthi in advance of any previous emigra
tion. We have been favored by Mr. Barlow, with the
subjoined ststement of the number of wagon, &c.,
that have crowed the Caeeade Mountain, by the
Meant Hood road, during the present season. Five
wagon only were abandoned between the Dalle and
this point! The weather has been extremely favorable
for the emigration, and still continues remukably mild
and nimiant for this late period of the year.
la regard to the remainder of the emigration, who
are coming in by Messrs. Applegate and GofTs re
cently explored route, we can obtain no satisfactory
Informstion, further than ttey are as yet a consroer
M Hinr from the head of the valley. We have
mptwwi that several families have abandoned their
wisons. and' come in with pack animals; likewise,
that two tor three parties bare started oat, with pro
visions, he, to meet the emigration. We have a rumor
that one hundred and forty wagons, of the two hun
dred and fifty, reported to have been on this route,
have turned off and gone to California; this requires
confirmation, however.
Ms, Ewtosv Sir, by yoor request, I herewith
send you the number of wagons and stock that passed
the toll-gate on the Mount Hood road. There were
one hundred eud forty-five wagons, fifteen hundred
and fifty-nine head of horses, mules, and homed catUe
all together, and one lot of sheep, the number not re
collected, but 1 think thirteen. Yours, he,
Oct 22d, 1846. Sam. K. Basxow.
Biuce the above was put in type, we learn, by the
arrival of a patty of the Hudson's Bay Company's
servants, from Fort Hall, that there are. seven more
wsgons en routt for this place, in the Cascade Moun
tains, being the rearward company of the emigration
by the Mount Hood road.
DtmTuxE or Captain Howison. We were grati
fied last week, by a short visit from Captain Howison,
of the late U. 8. Sehr. Shark. He informed as thut
with his officers and crew he would leave immediate
y for California, in the Hudson's Bay Company's
Bchr. Cadboroogb, which had been chartered for the
purpose. Cspttla Howison, it is altogether probable,
will be sent heme, u soon as practicable, to meet the
decision of a Court of Inquiry in relation to the loss
of his vessel
Wo know sot what inflames may bo brought to fear
naoaoBch constat this wo do know, that if Hide
Wen bo jost'csj, it win esenJpate- Captain H. on.
Wr.
r Jf Wo beojrstfitk ototlon of foartooa delegate
4a,tnwtmMvatfVHe4ayaoxt, tor the
fUfmftmmnmit Cerss injelatkw to the
oWUe of the Territory, vism Clackamas, sit
in Yamhill, and two in Una City preeloct, Twallty
conmy. Chsmpoeg and Folk comties have declined
a rtprciCDtatiea.
THE OREGON BILL.
cum JOTtnira.
Various reasons Induce us to believe that the " Ore
goa' Bill," sostyled, ia the ' bill for extending the juris
dictioa of the United States to Oregon," which passed
the lower noose of Congress on the 19th of April last,
is misaadersteod, and the spirit of it entirely miscon
ceived by a portion of our ciliteli. It is, but as its title
declares it to be, " A bill to protect the rights of Amer
ican settlers in the territory of Oregon unrii the termi
nation of the joint occupation of the eame." Even
as qualified as its provisions are, and as limited as it is
in its general character, the bill had not passed the
Senate, and we have not had the least intimation that
would lead u to the conclusion that it has become a
law. Consequently any action upon our part, in view
of the provisions of the bill and with the presumption
that it is a law of the land, would be unwise, unjust,
and most unwarrantable.
In reference to grants of land one of the most im
portant matters, and one of the first thut should be re
garded in such a document we find that the bill is a
mere nullity, for the fourth section of it, whicn relates
to this subject, reeds, " provision shell hereafter be
made by law to secure and grant," he, he That
three syllable word " hereafter" b all important, and
completely knocks into pi, as we printers would term:
it, the remainder of the section. These grants in fu
turity are consequently not available, and no power in
this country, at least, can make them so. But the
language of this portion of the bill is misinterpreted, and
the spirit of it totally mis-judged ; it is simply an as
surence guarrontee to us that our rights in this
respect will not be disregarded tha when the proper
time come we shall be put in possession of so much
land, but not until the proper period shall have arrived.
We hear with pain that this misconstruction of the
bill has been the occasion of acts which ore extremely
injudicious, to say the least, if not to qualify them by
the harsher term of trespass. It must be borne in
mind that we still live under the laws of O.egon Terri
tory the laws of our own making, and that we are
still amenable to those laws, and may be so for an
indefinite time to come. Will we not be sustained in
the assertion that the people of thia territory will stand
up for the supremacy of the law for the preservation
of its majesty, and consequently its full and exact en
forcement? We do believe that the cititens of this
country are an order-loving and law-abiding commu
nitythat they will sternly end firmly oppose such
acts as will tend to loosen the golden bond of society
by interrupting its good feeling and harmony.
For the life of us we cannot see wherein tie claim
jumper is the least benefitted by bis course of pro
ceedings. Is it the half of a lonely bachelor's claim
that he is itching after, or the whole of a half-breed's,
he "jumps" and records, and after such active exer
cise sits down with his hands upon his knees to await
the uncertain transpiration of desired events. No man
knoweth what the morrow may bring forth, and oil his
hopes may be but goodly shadows in the summer
cloud." But to him whose rights have been thus as
sailed, if not violated, such conduct must be a source
of irritation and annoyance, and, perhaps, ultimate
wtreoble and expense in establishing and securing his
right What then must So the inevitable consequence
of all this? Aj feeling nf distrust will spring up which
will occasion atwaot of confidence in one another and
in the power ofthe law. Are there not enough of fac
titious distinctions already in society? Why shall we
not act as reflecting men? Why shall we neglect our
duty in not pursuing the even tenor of our way with
aa unfaltering trust in the wisdom snd ability of our
government, imperfect as it may be, which is the strong
and only bond that holds us together as a civilized
community?
By all our hopes of yet living in happiness beneath
" the starry .banner of the free," and seeing this our
adopted country prosperous and great, we do conjure
our fellow citizens to be true to themselves, to stand
fast by the social compact, to countenance no wrong,
let it come from whatever quarter it may, for " truth
is powerful, and will prevail." Law and order, peace
and good will to all men be our motto, and however
so great the emergency, let us never espouse the cause
of error.
M Truth crushed to earth shall rise again,
The eternal years of God are hers;
Bnt Error, wounded, writhes with pain,
And dies amid ber worshippers."
DieeuctrvL We are sorry to say, that we have
been informed of .sans moot disgraceful proceed
logs which reeeaUy occurred in Cbaropoeg and
Yamhill counties. Wo are shocked to stato further,
that not satisfied with their Into acta of brutality, the
is parties are to meet again, u a tew oays, to com-
ajH n greater outrage upon good order, decency and
Uwthyongaglaglaftkiridaf ntine-fight. Is there no
law is those counties? If there he, where are the
ssfttlarry eonstltutcd authorltleo to enforce it?
V Wo wddisosBcriWio to ort article
in the last Masher of tho "Speatator," entitled "Roil
Call" Why wart sabjcribjai answer to their Msaao?
Tfee Casemate Movtaliu.
A KtOIIT ON MOUNT HOOD.
" A chosen band in mountain land,
And n life In the wood for me."
It was delightful day ia August, we had made oar
noonday halt At a brooklet that babied away at a very
pleasant rats, between two ridges of the mountain,
and In an hour's rid therefrom we entered tlw dense
and extensive forests that fill the ravines and cover
the heights of the Cascade Mountains, with the excep-1
tion of the snow peak, even to the valley of the Clack-'
amos. We hod been travelling over nionolonoui
prairie land through wild, wide, sandy wastes, with
their prolific growth of the sombre-looking Artemeiia,
with nothing to relieve the eye, or dissipate that sense
of sickening sameness that day after day weighed
upon our spirits. How gladly then did we hail the
change, and gallop into the bosom of the majestic
woods! Tlia hrrnlli nf llm (atrut was lil,-n will, thn '
scent of agreeable odors. What a feeling of freshness
was diffused into our whole being, as we enjoyed the
" pleasure of the pathless woods." In every glimpse
we could catch oTHheopen day, there, above and be
yond us, were the towering heights, with their Immense
array of sky-piercing shafts.
Up, up, to an altitude fearfully astonishing the as
"Cent is steep and difficult, but there are many such
'ridge of the mountains to be crossed before you can
descend into the flourishing valley of the Willamette.
Down, down, into the deep, dark, and silent ravine,
and when you have reached the bottom of it, by lis
precipitous descent, you may be able to form an idea
of the great elevation which you had previously at
tained. The crossing of the Rocky Mountains, the
Bear River range, and the " Isitr hill" of the DruheV,
with the Blue Mountains, was insignificait in coinpa
risou to the passage of the " Cascades." Here is no
natural paxe you .breast the lofty hills and climb them
there is no way around them no avoiding them,
und each succeeding one ou fancy is the dividing
ridge of the range. How profound is the solitude of
those old and far surrounding woods, which is only in
vaded by the dash of the mountain torrent, as it plunges
downward to its more tranquil course in the distant
valley.
The sun had sunk to the horixon, and was arraying
itself in a magnificent drapery of crimson colored
clouds, as we emerged from the forest into a beautiful
little glen, even upon the breast of snowy Mount Hood.
Here was the fountain-head of rivers; and the foam
ing waters were rushing madly along, as if impatient
to meet the embrace of ocean. Above our heads, the
peak of the mountain towered sublimely : its snow glit
tering in the departing rays of the sunlight
The day died slowly away, and our camp-fire was
soon in a cheerful blaze, for the icy breath of the moun
tain come down upou us with such a chilling effect, as
to huddle us together within its comfortable vicinage.
We could not but be impressed with the novelty of our
situation. Here we were beside an object that had
been visible to us at least a hundred miles distant ; an
object of interest, for we knew that beyond it was our
new home the country of our adoption, and that
when we reached it, our long and wearisome journey
would be, comparatively speaking, at an end. We
were but seven souls, deep in the heart of the-greet
wilderness, far from kindred and friends, and the en
joyments of civilized lifs, yet we bsd an unshaken
confidence in that protecting Power in the hollow of
whose hand we stood.
Our forms were soon stretched st length, snd our
heads pillowed upon the bosom of that mountain that
had been with us for so long a period an object of de-
aired attainment, for the " day had touched the hem of
night's garment, and tired and fatigued sunk into her
concealing lap:" and there she was, enthroned upon
Mount Hood, in her ebon mantle, "in her starry
crown, with eternal quiet upon her countenance."
C A friend, under the eignature of " A Kentuck
Ian," writes us upon various subjects effecting the in
terest tt the territory ; among other topics, he spesks
of the " whit man's liquor traffic with the natives" In
appropriate terms, and refers to the evil consequences
it will inevitably occasion, if not put a stop to. In re
lation to " claim jumping," he very correctly observes
" Although a neighbor may, as It Is commonly term
ed, jump your clam, be not alarmed ; comply with
the requisitions of the Organic Law, and you are safe,
as regards your claims, Government will do you jus
tice. Wab News. A friend kindly permits us to make
the following extract from n private letter, dated,
Independence, June lit, 1846.
" General Taylor has had hard fighting on the Rio
Grande, and more expected daily ; he hu as yet been
victorious, and, no doubt, will continue to be so. Gen.
Scott bu gone on.
M Col Kearney has been ordered to Stats Fe with
throe hundred dragoons and thirteen hundred eolun
tuts, and more shortly to follow. Our town ia all
statement and buttlo,"
T Tho attention of our rsadeaj kj MlM to law
eivortaemials hj ajjsjajaf
THE NEXT LEGISLATURE.
In a few weeks the Legislature will convene, and
enter upon the discharge of its duties. There will pro
bably be but little business to transact, and ws may
expect a short session, which will, doubtless, be sgree
able to all. As a general thing, the world is governed
too much, and particularly In the Stales, there hu
been a gteet deal of unnecessary legislation What a
marvellous conglomcrptlou of law doe the legislation
of the last twenty years present ; and for what good
purpose. Law has become almost a mere matter of
precedent. The judge fonukes his independence of
mind, und permits hinurlf to be governed iu lux deci
sions by tho manner in wlnrh such and such a case,
of a similar character was decided, years and years
ago, by Chief Justico so nrnl mi. TIimi(;Ii the tpirit of
the law be broken, so long as there i ilrfi-reiice pulil
to the letter of it, the judj(e can find a gixxl security
behind the invulnerable lmld of the uliui;liiy prece
dent. We are told (hat " necessity is the mother of (men
tion," and in all legislation thould thr wmit lli neces
sity lie particularly the occanion of the law. There be
many queer inventions in these our modern time, and
many that necessity can in nowme be induced to
suckle. And it is altogether likely that some of the
queerest cf these inventions hate been giini to the
world in the shape of laws. Liw houUI be uiude far
the benefit of man, yet how many are enacted and id
inininlered to his pmitive dioadtantuge and injury?
Our remarks muy not be applicable to the legmlatioa
that has occurred in Orgon Territory; but we must
confess that the enactments in relation to the currency
have a "terrible squinting that way," and were we
diupwed to find fault, we might comedown, with some
considerable force, slid a good deal of propriety, upou
the hair-splitting niceneM, at least, of the legislation in
other respects. However, the members of the next
legislature will assemble on the first Tuesday of I)e
cember next, and give their deliberations and judg
ment to such measures as are best calculated to pro
mote the welfare and happ.ueas of their constituents.
PUBLIC MEETING
IN CLACKAMUS COUNTY.
Pursuant to ndjounitwnt, on Thursday,
the IJitii of October (inst.) the mcctinp was
called to order by the chairman, and tho
proceedings of the previous meeting wctc
read by the secretary.
On motion of Mr. McCnrvcr, the follow,
ing resolution was adopted.
Resolved, That our present mercantile
condition lie considered and proper represen
tations made to the mercantile community
in the States.
On motion of Mr. Taylor, the following
resolution was adopted.
Resolved, That our delegates arc request
ed to ask Congress to make liberal appropri
ations in land or otherwise, fur public schools.
The resolution that was offered at the last
meeting, instructing our delegates to pro.
vide ways and means to forward our peti
tions to Congress without sending a delegate,
was taken up, and on motion of Mr. White,
the following was offered :
Stike out all after tho resolving clause,
and insert the following
That the petitions and memorials bo for.
warded to Washington by a special messen
ger, chosen by the American citizens of Oro
gon, and that our delegates be instructed to
provide for his election.
On motion, the resolution and amendments
wero laid on the table.
The resolution of Mr. D. Stewart, as
amended by Mr. Taylor, and informally pass
ed by at tho last meeting, was taken up, and
on motion of Mr. White, was amended as
follows :
And that the procoeds of each town site
bo appropriated to the use of the inhabitants
of said town for public schools and internal
improvements in said town.
P. G. Stewart offered tho following amend
ment to be inserted after town sites.
" So far as they can do the samo without
interfering with prlvato rights."
After some warm discussion, the meeting
took a recess until 7 o'clock P. M.
Met pursuant to adjournment.
On motion, the several gentlemen in at
tendance from othe counties, were invited
to participate.
The discussion then commenced, and was
continued with animated zeal until a late
'hour, when Mr. McCarvcr offered the follow.
ing amendment. " And that private rights
be construed to extend to all Improvements
made on town lots" which was lost. The
previous question waa then called for and
secondod. The housofdeolded that the pre
vious ouWton should be out. The amend.
mwl or Mr. P. G. 8tit wu tfc dopt.
I